Dharavandhoo Thila
An oval coral pinnacle near Dharavandhoo island in southern Baa, running roughly north–south with its shallow end in the south at around 6 m. The top is covered in hard coral and reef fish, and the slopes reach a sandy bottom past 20 m, with caves at different depths. It lies close to the Hanifaru feeding area, so manta rays and occasionally a whale shark pass by in the southwest monsoon.
Facts
- Region: Maldives – North & Central Atolls
- Area: Baa Atoll
- Depth: 6–30 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: moderate
- Type: pinnacle, manta
- Coordinates: 5.1585, 73.1171
- Highlights: manta rays (May–Nov), whale shark (rare), hard coral, leaf scorpionfish, frogfish, caves
- Tips: Mild to moderate current most days – a good site for newer divers; look for frogfish and leaf scorpionfish on the top. Dharavandhoo Thila became a protected area in October 2023.